Latter-Day Saints Church Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony

From The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:Area leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints along with Alpharetta Mayor, Jim Gilvin, broke ground on September 8th for a new meetinghouse (church) at Union Hill and Windward Concourse. The Church is experiencing substantial membership growth in the vicinity and the new building, with an Alpharetta address in Forsyth County, will allow for needed expansion.

During the event, the Alpharetta mayor expressed his interest in supporting the faith-based
community locally. Church leaders Elder Rene Alba of the Seventy and Roswell Georgia Stake President Verne Ernst spoke to the group of around 100 attendees.

Ernst remarked, “Tithes and other charitable donations help the Church carry out its mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, caring for the poor, and strengthening members’ faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.

Additionally, and importantly for our purposes here today, tithing funds the construction and maintenance of Church facilities. All meetinghouses are paid for before construction begins.” (Tithing, according to biblical references, is defined as donating 10% of one's income to the Church.)

Pam Klomp from Church Public Affairs spoke to local leaders about the Church's free website JustServe.Org, where the volunteer needs of organizations are posted and potential volunteers can search for places and times to serve in the community. It provides a local opportunity to help those in need and enhances the quality of life for everyone in the community. The free service can be a valuable resource for nonprofit groups who normally have to pay to recruit volunteers.

The building, when completed in 2019, provides a home for a number of congregations (referred to as Wards) in the immediate area. Members attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints depending on where they live geographically.

The Church building itself will include a chapel for Christian services on Sundays seating between 200 and 300 people. It also will house classrooms, offices, a small church library, a kitchen, a Family History Center and a cultural hall with an indoor basketball court that can also be used for musical productions.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest denomination in the United States and, with over 16 million members worldwide, they build between 300 and 400 buildings per year.

The Church buildings are also used in community service during times of natural disasters, such as in the recent flooding in Houston.

In conclusion Ernst remarked, “When completed the signage for this meetinghouse will say “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Visitors Welcome”. And we really mean that. We hope many of our new neighbors and friends will visit, socialize, play and worship with us here.”

Image via Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints